Treatment systems for fluids

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for treating a fluid by passing fluid through a treatment structure, the fluid containing undesirable living things, the treatment structure containing electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver, flowing an electric current in the fluid in the treatment structure via the electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material to kill undesirable living things in the treatment structure, and killing undesirable things in the treatment structure.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/317,588filed Oct. 21, 2011 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,778,264 This is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/374,243 filed Dec.16, 2011. The present invention and application claim priority under theUnited States Patent Laws from U.S. applications Ser. Nos.: 13/317,588filed Oct. 10, 2011; 13/374,243 filed Dec. 16, 2011 which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/373,283 filed Nov.9, 2011 which claims priority from U.S. Applications Ser. Nos.61/458,444 filed Nov. 22, 2011; 61/519,054 filed May 16, 2011;61/465,783 filed Mar. 24, 2011; and 61/465,132 filed Mar. 15, 2011. Thisapplication claims priority under the Patent Laws from U.S. applicationsSer. Nos. 13/317,588 filed Oct. 21, 2011; 13/373,283 filed Nov. 9, 2011;13/374,243 filed Dec. 16, 2011; 61/455,886 filed Oct. 28, 2010;61/456,307 filed Nov. 4, 2010; and 61/459,484 filed Dec. 13, 2010;61/458,444 filed Nov. 22, 2011; 61/519,054 filed May 16, 2011;61/465,783 filed Mar. 24, 2011; and 61/465,132 filed Mar. 15, 2011—allsaid applications incorporated fully herein for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to systems and methods for treatingfluids; to such systems and methods for purifying water; and, in certainparticular aspects, to systems and methods for purifying water usingelectrical current passed through the water to kill undesirable thingsin the water, the current flowing via electrically conductivenanomaterial in a treatment structure though which the water flows; andin certain aspects, such systems and methods in which undesirable thingsare killed by the biocidal effects of silver.

2. Description of Related Art

FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art system and method as disclosed in “HighSpeed Water Sterilzation Using One-Dimensional Nanostructures” by Schoenet al, American Chemical Society, 2010, pages 3628-3632 which describesa “gravity-fed biofouling resistant device that can inactivatebacteria”. Water flows from a container, through a structure S, and downby gravity into a collection container. The structure S is made ofcotton and has silver nanowires (“AgNWs”) and carbon nanotubes (“CNTs”).The carbon nanotubes provide electrical conductivity over the activearea of the structure when a current is imposed on it with a powersource (“V”). Silver was chosen since it is a well-known bactericidalagent. The device was operated at five separate biases from −20 to +20volts and a copper mesh counterelectrode was held at ground atapproximately one centimeter from the structure.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in certain aspects, discloses systems and methodsfor treating fluids, e.g., but not limited to, water and air; suchsystems and methods for killing things in fluids, e.g., but not limitedto, killing bacteria, viruses, algae and/or fungi; in certain aspects,such systems and methods which employ fluid movement by mechanisms oraction other than, or in addition to, gravity feed; and such systems andmethods in which a treatment structure through which the fluid flows hassilver or silver alloy material and electrically conductive nanomaterialwhich, when an appropriate potential difference is applied across it,results in a current flow and in a lethal current being applied toliving thing(s) in the fluid flowing through the treatment structure.

In certain embodiments of systems and methods according to the presentinvention, undesirable things are killed by the biocidal effects ofsilver. In certain particular aspects, silver is provided withelectrically conductive nanomaterial; in some aspects such nanomaterialin combination with another source of silver; and in other aspects withanother source or silver and/or with a solution of colloidal silver. Incertain embodiments of systems and methods according to the presentinvention, liquids are moved by capillary action, siphonage, and/or bymoving structures; while in other aspects when silver is provided bynanomaterial with silver therein or thereon (with or without silverwires, pieces, or the like)gravity fed liquid is employed.

In certain embodiments of systems and methods according to the presentinvention, fluid is heated by imposing an electrical current onelectrically conductive nanomaterial in the liquid thereby resistivelyheating the nanomaterial and, in turn, heating the liquid. In oneparticular aspect, the liquid is heated sufficiently to kill undesirablethings in the liquid. In certain aspects, the current is applied byapplying a potential difference across a treatment structure accordingto the present invention.

“Electrically conductive nanomaterial” includes any known nanomaterialwhich can conduct electricity and which is present in treatmentstructures according to the present invention in sufficient amount,dispersion and concentration so that things in fluid being treated arekilled by a current passing through the treatment structure via theelectrically conductive nanomaterial; the electrically conductivenanomaterial including, but not limited to, electrically conductivenanotubes, nanorods, nanowires, nanoparticles, nanostructures,nanofibers, nanofabric, nanocylinders, nanographene, nanographeneribbons, transformed nanomaterials, functionalized nanomaterial,metallized nanomaterial, carbon nanomaterials, e.g., but not limited to,carbon nanotubes, and electrically conductive nanotubes including singlewalled nanotubes, multi-walled nanotubes, functionalized nanotubes andmetallized nanotubes. Electrically conductive nanomaterial with silveris any electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver thereon and/ortherein and/or combined therewith which silver acts as a silver iondonor to provide silver ions for killing undesirable things, including,but not limited to nanomaterial metallized with, coated with, or platedwith silver or silver alloy(s), including, but not limited to, nanotubeswith such metallization, plating, or coating and/or nanotubes withprotection material that is silver added or applied as in, for example,any of the methods for protecting nanotubes with prottective materialdisclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 12/638,999 filed Nov. 14, 2008.The electrical conductive nanomaterial is added to and dispersed in afluid by any suitable known means, including, but not limited to,mixing, pouring, blending, stirring, and sonication.

Silver material includes silver and silver alloys present in sufficientamounts, dispersion and concentration so that the killing effects ofsilver for killing certain living things are achieved; including, butnot limited to, silver, silver alloys, argentium (either 93.5% minimumsilver content and 96% minimum silver content, billion, silver electrum,goloid (including, but not limited to, as in U.S. Patent 191,146),britannia silver, shibuichi, sterling silver, and tibetan silver, orsome combination of two, three or more of these and silver and silvermaterials that provide a desired amount of the bioactive silver ion Ag+.The silver material can be present in any form, e.g., but not limitedto, as particles, granules, wires, pieces, discs, fiber, fabric, mesh,or in solution.

Accordingly, the present invention includes features and advantageswhich are believed to enable it to advance fluid treatment technology.Characteristics and advantages of the present invention described aboveand additional features and benefits will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art upon consideration of the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments and referring to the accompanyingdrawings.

What follows are some of, but not all, the objects of this invention. Inaddition to the specific objects stated below for at least certainpreferred embodiments of the invention, there are other objects andpurposes which will be readily apparent to one of skill in this art whohas the benefit of this invention's teachings and disclosures. It is,therefore, an object of at least certain preferred embodiments of thepresent invention to provide:

New, useful unique, efficient, nonobvious systems and methods fortreating fluids to kill things in fluid such as, but not limited to ,bacteria, algae, fungi and viruses using silver and/or lethal electriccurrent flowing via electrically conductive nanomaterial;

Such new, useful, unique, efficient, nonobvious systems and methodsusing fluid movement by mechanisms or action other than, or in additionto, gravity feed;

Such new, useful unique, efficient, nonobvious systems and methods inwhich liquids are moved by capillary action, siphonage, upflow, and/orby moving structures; and

New, useful unique, efficient, nonobvious systems and methods fortreating fluids in which an electric potential difference is imposed onelectrically conductive nanomaterial within a structure through whichthe fluid flows, so that electric current flows for killing things inthe fluid; the structure, optionally, also containing silver and/orsilver alloy(s); and such systems and methods in which liquid passingthrough structures according to the present invention is heated by theresistive heating of electrically conductve nanomaterial within atreatment structure according to the present invention; and such systemsand methods in which structures according to the present inventionthrough which fluids flow have pores with pores sizes sufficiently largethat the fluid is not filtered and/or with pores sizes that aresufficiently small that the fluid is filtered; and, im certain aspects,a treatment structures is a filter elements or filter cartridge;

New, useful unique, efficient, nonobvious systems and methods in whichtreated fluids are passed through secondary structure for removingthings killed within a primary structure and/or secondary structure forremoving nanomaterial from treated fluid (either of which can be truefor any base material disclosed herein).

Such new, useful, unique, efficient, nonobvious systems and methods inwhich nanomaterials are removed from treated fluids and, in one aspect,nanomaterials are used which have or which are combined with magneticmaterial (magnetically attractive and/or magnetically susceptible) sothat magnet(s) and/or magnet apparatus are used for removing thenanomaterials from treated fluid.

Certain embodiments of this invention are not limited to any particularindividual feature disclosed here, but include combinations of themdistinguished from the prior art in their structures, functions, and/orresults achieved. Features of the invention have been broadly describedso that the detailed descriptions that follow may be better understood,and in order that the contributions of this invention to the arts may bebetter appreciated. There are, of course, additional aspects of theinvention described below and which may be included in the subjectmatter of the claims to this invention. Those skilled in the art whohave the benefit of this invention, its teachings, and suggestions willappreciate that the conceptions of this disclosure may be used as acreative basis for designing other structures, methods and systems forcarrying out and practicing the present invention. The claims of thisinvention are to be read to include any legally equivalent devices ormethods which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

The present invention recognizes and addresses the long-felt needs andprovides a solution to problems and a satisfactory meeting of thoseneeds in its various possible embodiments and equivalents thereof. Toone of skill in this art who has the benefits of this invention'srealizations, teachings, disclosures, and suggestions, other purposesand advantages will be appreciated from the following description ofcertain preferred embodiments, given for the purpose of disclosure, whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The detail in thesedescriptions is not intended to thwart this patent's object to claimthis invention no matter how others may later disguise it by variationsin form, changes, or additions of further improvements.

It will be understood that the various embodiments of the presentinvention may include one, some, or all of the disclosed, described,and/or enumerated improvements and/or technical advantages and/orelements in claims to this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

A more particular description of embodiments of the invention brieflysummarized above may be had by references to the embodiments which areshown in the drawings which form a part of this specification. Thesedrawings illustrate embodiments preferred at the time of filing for thispatent and are not to be used to improperly limit the scope of theinvention which may have other equally effective or legally equivalentembodiments.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of prior art system.

FIG. 1A is a schematic view of a system according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 1B is an enlargement of part of the system of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a system according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 2A is a schematic view of a system according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a system according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a system according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a system according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a system according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a system according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a system according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a system according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a system according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a system according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a system according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of a system according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of a system according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a person wearing a mask according tothe present invention.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a mask according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 17 is a schematic view of a fluid treatment system according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 18A is a schematic view of a fluid treatment system according tothe present invention.

FIG. 18B is a schematic view of a fluid treatment system according tothe present invention.

FIG. 19A is a schematic side crosssection view of a fluid treatmentsystem according to the present invention.

FIG. 19B is a schematic side crosssection view of a fluid treatmentsystem according to the present invention.

FIG. 20A is a front view of a fluid treatment system according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 20B is an exploded view of the fluid treatment system of FIG. 20A.

FIG. 21 is a schematic side crosssection view of a fluid treatmentsystem according to the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a schematic view of a fluid treatment system including ashale shaker according to the present invention.

FIG. 23A is a schematic view of a membrane according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 23B is a schematic view of a membrane according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 23C is a schematic view of a membrane according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 23D is a schematic view of a membrane according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 24 is a schematic perspective view of a filter according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 25A a micrograph of the edge of a nanostructured material accordingto the present invention with a 20 micron metal mesh superstructure.

FIG. 25B is a micrograph of a material according to the present inventonshowing nanotubes in a pore of a supporting superstructure (celluloseacetate) wrapping themselves around the fibers of the support structure.

FIG. 26 is a schematic view of a membrane according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 27 is a schematic view of a fluid purification system according tothe present invention.

Certain embodiments of the invention are shown in the above-identifiedfigures and described in detail below. Various aspects and features ofembodiments of the invention are described below. Any combination ofaspects and/or features described below can be used except where suchaspects and/or features are mutually exclusive. It should be understoodthat the appended drawings and description herein are of certainembodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. On thecontrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents andalternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined by the appended claims. In showing and describing theseembodiments, like or identical reference numerals are used to identifycommon or similar elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale andcertain features and certain views of the figures may be shownexaggerated in scale or in schematic in the interest of clarity andconciseness. As used herein and throughout all the various portions (andheadings) of this patent, the terms “invention”, “present invention” andvariations thereof mean one or more embodiments, and are not intended tomean the claimed invention of any particular embodiment. Accordingly,the subject or topic of each such reference is not automatically ornecessarily part of, or required by, any particular embodiment. So longas they are not mutually exclusive or contradictory any aspect orfeature or combination of aspects or features of any embodimentdisclosed herein may be used in any other embodiment disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Unless explicitly stated otherwise, treatment structures according tothe present invention in embodiments described below have base material,electrically conductive nanomaterial and, optionally, silver or silvermaterial. Current flowing in the treatment structure via theelectrically conductive nanomaterial kills living thing(s) in fluidflowing through the treatment structure and, when present, silver ionscontributed by the silver material also act to kill the living thing(s).The present invention provides methods for treating a fluid, the methodsincluding: passing fluid through a treatment structure, the fluidcontaining undesirable living things, the treatment structure containingelectrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material in abase material, the fluid, optionally, containing silver material, thetreatment structure, optionally, containing silver material other thansilver in or on nanomaterial, the methods inclduing flowing an electriccurrent in the fluid in the treatment structure via the electricallyconductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material to killundesirable living things in the treatment structure, and killingundesirable things in the treatment structure. Such methods may have oneor some, in any possible combination, of the following: wherein thefluid is water; wherein the fluid passes through the treatment structureby the force of gravity; wherein the fluid passes through the treatmentstructure by siphoning; wherein the fluid passes through the treatmentstructure by pumping; wherein the treatment structure is moved throughthe fluid so that the treatment structure takes in fluid and said fluidpasses through the treatment structure for treating thereby; whereinelectric current flows through substantially all of the treatmentstructure; wherein electric current flows through a portion of thetreatment structure; wherein the treatment structure contains basematerial and the electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver orsilver material is in the base material; wherein the base material isone of nylon, plastic, fibers, granular media, fabric, fibril materials,filamentous materials, inorganic or organic materials, biologicalorganism selective materials, natural or synthetic materials, cotton,wool, polyester, fiber glass, metal, woven or nonwoven, air laid webmaterial, sheets of material, interleaved sheets, material with pores oropenings or pore sizes such that it does not filter fluid or materialwith pores or openings or pore sizes of such dimensions that fluid isfiltered, material containing silver and/or silver material; wherein thenanomaterial is one of nanotubes, nanorods, nanowires, nanoparticles,nanostructures, nanofibers, nanofabric, nanocylinders, nanographene,nanohorns, nanographene ribbons, transformed nanomaterials,functionalized nanomaterial, metallized nanomaterial, carbonnanomaterials, carbon nanotubes, single walled nanotubes, multi-wallednanotubes, functionalized nanotubes and metallized nanotubes; flowingtreated fluid from the treatment structure; wherein the treated fluidcontains dead things killed in the treatment structure, the methodfurther including removing dead things from the treated fluid; whereinthe treated fluid contains nanomaterial, the method further inclduingremoving nanomaterial from the treated fluid; wherein the removednanomaterial contains magnetically attractive material, the methodfurther inclduing removing the nanomaterial containing magneticallyattractive 9susceptible) material with magnet apparatus; wherein themagnet apparatus is one of magnet, at least one magnet, a plurality ofmagnets, an electromagnet apparatus, at least one electromagnetapparatus, and a plurality of electromagnet apparatuses; wherein magnetapparatus is within the treatment structure, adjacent the treatmentstructure, within a member through which the treated fluid passes, orwithin a container containing the treated fluid; wherein the electriccurrent heats fluid in the treatment structure; wherein the electriccurrent boils fluid in the treatment structure; and/or wherein theelectric current heats fluid in the treatment structure thereby killingliving things in the fluid.

The present invention provides methods for treating a fluid whichinclude: passing fluid through a treatment structure, the fluidcontaining undesirable living things, the treatment structure containingelectrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material,flowing an electric current in the fluid in the treatment structure viathe electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver to kill undesirableliving things in the treatment structure, killing undesirable things inthe treatment structure producing treated fluid, flowing the treatedfluid back to the treatment structure, passing the treated fluid throughthe treatment structure, flowing an electric current in the treatedfluid in the treatment structure via the electrically conductivenanomaterial with silver or silver material to kill undesirable livingthings in the treatment structure. The present invention providesmethods for treating a fluid which include: passing fluid through atreatment structure, the fluid containing undesirable living things, thetreatment structure containing electrically conductive nanomaterial, thefluid containing silver or silver material, flowing an electric currentin the fluid in the treatment structure via the electrically conductivenanomaterial to kill undesirable living things in the treatmentstructure, and killing undesirable things in the treatment structure,wherein the fluid is moved through the treatment structure by siphoningor by pumping or wherein the treatment structure is moved through thefluid. In such a method the electrically conductive nanomaterial mayinclude electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver.

The present invention provides methods for treating a fluid whichinclude: passing fluid through a treatment structure, the fluidcontaining undesirable living things, the treatment structure containingelectrically conductive nanomaterial, the fluid containing silver orsilver material, flowing an electric current in the fluid in thetreatment structure via the electrically conductive nanomaterial silverto kill undesirable living things in the treatment structure, theelectric current passing through only a portion of the treatmentstructure, killing undesirable things in the treatment structure. Insuch a method, the electrically conductive nanomaterial may includeelectrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material.

The present invention provides methods for treating a fluid whichinclude: passing fluid through a treatment structure, the fluidcontaining undesirable living things, the treatment structure containingelectrically conductive nanomaterial, the fluid containing silver orsilver material, flowing an electric current in the fluid in thetreatment structure via the electrically conductive nanomaterial silverto kill undesirable living things in the treatment structure, killingundesirable things in the treatment structure, flowing treated fluidfrom the treatment structure, and removing dead things from the treatedfluid. In such a method, the electrically conductive nanomaterial mayinclude electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silvermaterial. The present invention provides methods for treating a fluidwhich include: passing fluid through a treatment structure, the fluidcontaining undesirable living things, the treatment structure containingelectrically conductive nanomaterial, the fluid containing silver orsilver material, flowing an electric current in the fluid in thetreatment structure via the electrically conductive nanomaterial silverto kill undesirable living things in the treatment structure, killingundesirable things in the treatment structure, removing nanomaterialfrom the treated fluid. In such a method, the electrically conductivenanomaterial may include electrically conductive nanomaterial withsilver or silver material; and, optionally, the removed nanomaterialcontains magnetically attractive material, the method further includingremoving the nanomaterial containing magnetically attractive materialwith magnet apparatus. In such a method, the magnet apparatus may be oneof magnet, at least one magnet, a plurality of magnets, an electromagnetapparatus, at least one electromagnet apparatus, and a plurality ofelectromagnet apparatuses and/or the magnet apparatus may be within thetreatment structure, adjacent the treatment structure, within a memberthrough which the treated fluid passes, or within a container containingthe treated fluid.

The present invention provides methods for treating a fluid whichinclude: passing fluid through a treatment structure, the fluidcontaining undesirable living things, the treatment structure containingelectrically conductive nanomaterial, the fluid containing silver orsilver material, flowing an electric current in the fluid in thetreatment structure via the electrically conductive nanomaterial silverto kill undesirable living things in the treatment structure, killingundesirable things in the treatment structure, wherein the electriccurrent heats the electrically conductive nanomaterial which heats fluidin the treatment structure. Such a method may include one or some, inany possible combination, of the following: wherein the electric currentboils fluid in the treatment structure; wherein the electric currentheats fluid in the treatment structure thereby killing living things inthe fluid; and/or wherein the electrically conductive nanomaterialincludes electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silvermaterial. The present invention provides methods for treating a fluidwhich include: passing fluid through a treatment structure, the fluidcontaining undesirable living things, the treatment structure containingelectrically conductive nanomaterial, flowing an electric current in thefluid in the treatment structure via the electrically conductivenanomaterial material to kill undesirable living things in the treatmentstructure, killing undesirable things in the treatment structureproducing treated fluid, flowing the treated fluid back to the treatmentstructure, passing the treated fluid through the treatment structure,flowing an electric current in the treated fluid in the treatmentstructure via the electrically conductive nanomaterial to killundesirable living things in the treatment structure. In such a method,the electrically conductive nanomaterial may include electricallyconductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material.

The present invention provides treatment structures for fluids whichinclude therein electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver orsilver material. Optionally, such a structure includes a power sourcefor applying current to the nanomaterial to kill things in the fluid,e.g., but not limited to, a battery or a solar power source. In anysystem herein, a power source may be located as desired, including, butnot limited to, location outside of nanomaterial, adjacent nanomaterial,in or adjacent base material used with nanomaterial, in or adjacentfilter material used with nanomaterial, within nanomaterial, on oradjacent a container or housing for a treatment structure, and/or on orwithin a filter cartridge with nanomaterial therein.

FIG. 1A shows a system 180 according to the present invention which hasa fluid to be treated, e.g. water W, in a first container 181 whichflows to an outlet 182 in which is disposed a structure 183 according tothe present invention through which treated water W flows down into asecond container 184. A power source V imposes a voltage so that acurrent flows between the top of the structure and the bottom thereof tokill things within the water that pass through the structure.

The structure 183 (enlarged in FIG. 1B) has base material BM (anydisclosed herein) in which is dispersed multiple pieces of electricallyconductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material NMW. Optionally,other silver ion donor material Ag (e.g., but not limited to, the wiresof FIG. 1) is used dispersed in the base material BM. Optionally, withor without the material Ag present, colloidal silver solution (anydisclosed herein) is added to the liquid in the first container 181and/or into the liquid in the second container 184 (as may be done inany system according to the present invention with any second containerreceiving liquid by gravity feed and/or into any container into whichliquid moves, is moved or is siphoned). Any power source disclosedherein connected in any manner disclosed herein may be used with thestructure 183.

It is within the scope of the present invention to delete the silvermaterial SM (e.g., to delete the silver material SM from any of theembodiments of FIGS. 2-17) and to use electrically conductivenanomaterial with silver in the systems and methods to kill undesirablethings in fluids. In certain particular aspects, the electricallyconductive nanomaterial with silver is metallized nanotubes includingsilver or silver material; functionalized nanotubes with silver; coatednanotubes coated with silver or silver material; electrically conductivenanotubes with protective material that is silver or silver material,including, but not limited to, carbon nanotubes protected with silver orsilver material which is added, applied or included as protectivematerial is combined with nanotubes as disclosed in U.S. applicationSer. No. 12/738,999 filed Nov. 14, 2008 (incorporated fully herein forall purposes), whether or not such application teaches the use of silveror silver material as a protective material and including, but notlimited to, mixing nanotubes with silver or silver material, comminutingnanotubes with silver or silver material, grinding nanotubes with silveror silver material, pulverizing nanotubes with silver or silvermaterial, combining nanotubes with silver or silver material or blendingnanotubes with silver or silver material; or plated nanotubes platedwith silver or silver material. It is also within the scope of thisinvention to delete the silver wires AgNws from the system of FIG. 1 andto use for the carbon nanotubes some nanomaterial with silver asdisclosed or referred to herein.

FIG. 2 shows a system 20 according to the present invention which has afluid to be treated, e.g. water W, in a first container 21 which flowsto an outlet 22 in which is disposed a structure 23 through which thewater W flows down into a second container 24. A power source V imposesa voltage across the structure 23 so that a current flows between thetop of the structure and the bottom thereof to kill things within thewater that passes through the structure. As is true for each embodimentdescribed as having “silver material SM”, the structure 23 has silvermaterial SM which may be any possible silver material as describedherein.

As is true for any embodiment of the present invention and for anytreatment structure according to the present invention, the power sourceV may be any suitable known apparatus, device, or system that can imposea potential difference across the structure 23 or across part of thestructure 23, including, but not limited to, conventional power source,a battery, solar power system or generator, generator, wind powersystem, or combination thereof. As is true for any embodiment of thepresent invention and for any treatment structure according to thepresent invention, the structure 23 may be a structure like anydisclosed herein. In one aspect, the structure 23 is like the structureS. Optionally, the structure 23 has electrically conductive nanomaterialNM (not shown to scale). A base material of the structure 23 and a basematerial BM of the structure 26 (as is true for any base material BMindicated in other drawing figures) may be, but is not limited to,nylon, plastic, fibers, granular media, fabric, fibril materials,filamentous materials, inorganic or organic materials, biologicalorganism selective materials, natural or synthetic materials, e.g.,including but not limited to cotton, wool, polyester, fiber glass,metal, or blends or mixtures thereof; and fabric base material can bewoven or nonwoven (e.g. air laid webs), or mixtures or combinations ofsheets or portions thereof or interleaved sheets thereof. The basematerial BM can have openings or pore sizes such that it does not filterfluid passing through a structure containing it or it can have openingsor pore sizes of such dimensions that fluid flowing through a treatmentstructure is filtered.

FIG. 2A shows a system 25 according to the present invention with atreatment structure 26 and a power source V (like the power source inFIG. 2). The structure 26 may be a treatment structure like anydisclosed herein. The power source has leads 27 a, 27 b which areconnected to points on the structure 26 spaced-down and apart from thetop (lead 27 a) and up and spaced-apart from the bottom (lead 27 b). Thepower source imposes an electrical potential difference on part of thestructure and a current flows through electrically conductivenanomaterial NM. This current kills things in fluid passing through thestructure 26. Optionally, and as is true for any possible connection ofleads, connectors, cables, etc. for transmitting electric current, theleads etc. used may be on the same side or portion of a treatmentstructure or, e.g. as shown by the dotted line for the lead 27 b in FIG.2A, they may be on opposed sides or portions of a treatment structure.As is rue for any embodiment herein, the nanomaterial NM may benanomaterial with silver.

FIG. 3 shows a system 30 according to the present invention thatincludes some parts which are like those of the system of FIG. 1 (andlike labels indicate like parts) and new items according to the presentinvention. In addition to a structure S, the system 30 includes atreatment structure 31 which siphons fluid from a primary container 32into a secondary container 33. The power source V provides a bias acrossthe structure 31 so that a current flows therethrough to kill things.Optionally, a separate power source is provided for the structure 31.The structure 31 may—as is true for any structure according to thepresent invention—be like any structure according to the presentinvention and/or be made of material(s) like that of any treatmentstructure according to the present invention. The power source imposesan electrical potential difference and a current flows via electricallyconductive nanomaterial NM (not shown to scale). No nanomaterial shownin the drawings is to scale.

FIG. 4 shows a system 40 according to the present invention which has atreatment structure 41 which siphons fluid F from a primary container 42into a secondary container 43. A power source V (e.g., like anydisclosed herein) provides a voltage difference across the structure 41,via fluid in the container 42 and fluid in the container 43 so that acurrent flows therethrough to kill things passing through the structure41. The power source imposes an electrical potential difference on thestructure and a current flows via electrically conductive nanomaterialNM (not shown to scale).

FIG. 5 shows a system 50 according to the present invention which has atreatment structure 51 which siphons fluid F from a primary container 52into a secondary container 53. A power source V (e.g., like anydisclosed herein) provides a voltage difference across the structure 51,via fluid in the container 52 and via a connection to the bottom of thestructure 51 so that a current flows therethrough to kill things passingthrough the structure 51. The power source imposes an electricalpotential difference on the structure and a current flows viaelectrically conductive nanomaterial NM (not shown to scale).

FIG. 6 shows a system 60 according to the present invention which has atreatment structure 61 which siphons fluid F from a primary container 62into a secondary container 63. A power source V (e.g., like anydisclosed herein) provides a voltage difference across the structure 61,via a connection to the structure 61 above the fluid in the container 52and via a connection to the bottom of the structure 61 so that a currentflows therethrough to kill things passing through the structure 61. Thepower source imposes an electrical potential difference on the structureand a current flows via electrically conductive nanomaterial NM (notshown to scale).

FIG. 7 shows a system 70 according to the present invention thatincludes some parts which are like those of the system of FIG. 1 (andlike labels indicate like parts) and new items according to the presentinvention. In addition to a structure S, the system 70 includes atreatment structure 71 which treats and siphons fluid from a primarycontainer 72 into a secondary container 73. A power source W (like anydisclosed herein) provides a bias across part of the structure 71 sothat a current flows therethrough to kill things. The structure 71may—as is true for any structure according to the present invention—belike any structure according to the present invention and/or be made ofmaterial(s) like that of any treatment structure according to thepresent invention. The power source W provides the potential differenceacross a discrete portion R of the structure 71. The power sourceimposes an electrical potential difference on part of the structure anda current flows via electrically conductive nanomaterial NM (not shownto scale) which is in the part R of the sructure 71.

FIG. 8 shows a system 80 according to the present invention thatincludes a treatment structure 81 which treats and siphons fluid from aprimary container 82 into a secondary container 83. A power source V(like any disclosed herein) provides a bias across part of the structure81 so that a current flows therethrough to kill things. The structure 81may—as is true for any structure according to the present invention—belike any structure according to the present invention and/or be made ofmaterial(s) like that of any treatment structure according to thepresent invention. The power source V provides the potential differenceacross a discrete portion of the structure 81 that has nanomaterial NMtherein. The power source imposes an electrical potential difference onpart of the structure and a current flows via the electricallyconductive nanomaterial NM (not shown to scale).

FIG. 9 shows a system 90 according to the present invention thatincludes a treatment structure 901 according to the present inventionwith base material BM with electrically conductive nanomaterial NMtherein. Optionally the structure 901 includes silver material SM (notshown to scale; indicated by dots). The base material BM can be, but isnot limited to, nylon, plastic, fibers, granular media, fabric, fibrilmaterials, filamentous materials, inorganic or organic materials;biological organism selective materials natural or synthetic materials;e.g., including but not limited to cotton, wool, polyester, fiber glass,metal, or blends or mixtures thereof. The fabric can be woven ornonwoven (e.g. air laid webs), or mixtures or combinations of sheets orportions thereof or interleaved sheets thereof. The base material canhave openings or pore sizes such that it does not filter fluid passingthrough a structure containing it or it can have openings or pore sizesof such dimensions that fluid flowing through a treatment structure isfiltered. The structure 901 has an intake end 14, a discharge end 16,and an optional support element 12. The structure 901 is placed betweenan upper vessel 22 and a lower vessel 24 with the intake end 14 not incontact with the bottom of the upper vessel 22 or in contact therewith.The discharge end 16 may or may not contact the bottom of lower vessel24.

The lower vessel 24 is below vessel 22. Siphoning action is maintainedbetween a liquid 18 (e.g., water) contained in the vessel 22 and theliquid 28 that has flowed into the vessel 24. A valve 32 (in an inlet30) opens; the liquid is introduced into vessel 22 until a liquid level20 is close to a top of the vessel 22; then, the valve 32 closes. Theliquid 18 wets the intake end 14 and enters the structure 901 at theliquid surface level 20. The liquid 18 rises through the structure 901above the level 20 to a top portion of the structure 901. A bent portionof the structure 901 directs liquid flow downward toward the dischargeend 16. Siphoning takes over once liquid flow passes the liquid level 20on the downside portion. Treated liquid 28 exits the discharge end 16into the lower vessel 24. At this point, in continuous operation mode,the valve 32 and a valve 40 (in an outlet 38) may be adjusted tomaintain a desired flow rate. In one aspect, in a batch operation, thevalve 32 remains closed until a new batch of liquid 18 is introduced tothe system. The discharge end 16 may be left suspended over the vessel24 so that liquid 28 falls from discharge end 16 into vessel 24. Theliquid level 20 and the support 12 may be adjusted so that the bentportion of the structure 901 is in contact with the surface level 20.

The structure 901, as is true for any treatment structure according tothe present invention, can be sized and/or configured in many forms andmay have any cross-sectional area to fit any particular application,e.g., but not limited to, circular crosssection, cylindrically shaped,square shaped, or rectangularly shaped. Also, as is true for anytreatment structure according to the present invention, the basematerial be made of a combination or composite of two, three or severalmaterials having different characteristics to fit any particularapplication.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 9, an enclosure 42 isolates an innergaseous atmosphere 52 which contacts the structure 901 and the liquid18. The enclosure 42 permits modification and control of the pressure,the temperature, and the composition of inner atmosphere 52. An inlet 48may be provided to inject different compositions of liquid and/or gas,to attach a pump for changing the pressure of the gas between thehousing and the medium, or to attach an apparatus 101 for control of thetemperature within the enclosure (or for recirculation of gas). Thetemperature of the liquid can be raised, lowered, or maintained so thatthe liquid exiting from the outlet is at a desired temperature. Byappropriate sizing of the treatment structure and its length above theliquid level, a desired amount of cooling can be effected.

The temperature control may take a variety of forms. It is shown as onewhich heats or cools, but it could take other forms such as heating andcooling coils surrounding a housing. Additionally, the pressure,temperature and composition of a gas in the enclosure may be controlledby a plurality of individual controls, or by a single control apparatus.Although the ends 44 and 46 of the enclosure 42 are shown immersed inthe liquids 18 and 26, this is only to provide a seal for the inneratmosphere 52. The enclosure is not intended to work as a siphon. In oneaspect, the liquid does not flow through the inner space occupied by theatmosphere 52, but only through the structure 901. The enclosure 42 maytake a variety of forms, and it may also completely enclose vessels 22and 24. A separate container (shown by a rectangle in dotted lines) maybe used to enclose both vessels 22 and 24 and the enclosure 42.

A power source V (shown schematically; like any power source disclosedherein) imposes a potential difference on the structure 901 (onsubstantially all of it or on a part or parts of it) so that, via theelectrically conductive nanomaterial NM, a lethal current flows killingliving thing(s) that pass through the structure 901.

FIG. 10 illustrates a system 100 according to the present invention fortreating a liquid L is oil and water in a two-phase liquid combination.The system 100 has a container 102 containing a two-phase liquid withone phase 104, an oil phase, above another phase 106, a water phase. Atreatment structure 108 according to the present invention is primedwith water prior to its insertion into the liquid and, extends throughthe oil 104 into the water 106. Another treatment structure 110 extendsinto the oil 104. The structure 110 transports treated oil from thecontainer 102 and the structure 108 transports treated water from thecontainer 102. Of course only one treatment structure may be employed topurify only one liquid or one liquid or more of a multi-phasecombination may be treated by using the appropriate number ofstructures.

Power sources V (shown schematically; like any power source disclosedherein) impose a potential difference on their respective treatmentstructures 108, 110 (on substantially all of or on a part or parts ofthe treatment structure) so that, via the electrically conductivenanomaterial therein, a lethal current flows killing living thing(s)that pass through the structure.

As shown in FIG. 11 two treatment structures 111 and 112 may be used totreat and remove water from a container 114 containing an emulsion ofoil and water. The treatment structures 108, 110, 11, and 112 may be anystructure disclosed herein according to the present invention. Powersources V (shown schematically; like any power source disclosed herein)impose a potential difference on their respective treatment structures111,112 (on substantially all of or on a part or parts of the treatmentstructure) so that, via the electrically conductive nanomaterialtherein, a lethal current flows killing living thing(s) that passthrough the structure.

As shown in FIG. 12 a treatment structure 120 according to the presentinvention can include different base materials at different locationstherein. For example, the structure 120 may have cotton C, wool W,ballistic material, Kevlar (trademark) material K, and nylon N. Ofcourse, as desired different materials in different lengths and indifferent configurations may be present in different areas. Electricallyconductive nanomaterial NM may be present in one, some, or all of theseareas. Silver material SM may be present in one, some, or all of theseareas.

FIG. 13 discloses a system 130 according to the present invention whichhas a treatment structure 131 which may be like any treatment structuredisclosed herein that has electrically conductive nanomaterial NM inbase material BM, and, optionally, silver material SM. Optionally, thenanomaterial NM is electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver orsilver material. Optionally, such materials are throughout the structure131 or only in a part of or parts of the structure 131 (as may be truefor any treatment structure according to the present invention). Bysiphon action, the treatment structure 131 conveys fluid, e.g., water,from a first container 132, e.g., a cup, to a second container 133,e.g., a cup, and the fluid is treated as it flows through the structure131. A power source V (shown schematically; like any power sourcedisclosed herein) impose a potential difference on the treatmentstructure 131 on substantially all of or on a part or parts of thetreatment structure) so that, via the electrically conductivenanomaterial therein, a lethal current flows killing living thing(s)that pass through the structure.

Optionally, and as may be included with any treatment structureaccording to the present invention, a battery system BA connected to thestructure 131 imposes a potential difference on substantially all orpart of or parts of the structure 131; and/or optionally, and as may beincluded with any treatment structure according to the presentinvention, a solar power system SP connected to the structure 131 with asolar cell (or cells) SC imposes a potential difference on substantiallyall or part of or parts of the structure 131. Any power system used withthe system 130 (or with any system according to the present invention),may supply sufficient power to heat the treatment structure, to heatfluid passing therethrough, to boil fluid therein, to boil watertherein, and/or to kill undesirable things in fluid passing through thetreatment structure.

FIG. 14 discloses a system 140 according to the present invention whichhas a treatment structure 141 which may contain any electricallyconductive material NM disclosed above, optionally any silver materialSM disclosed above, and any base material BM disclosed above. A powersource V (shown schematically; like any power source disclosed herein)impose a potential difference on the treatment structure 141 onsubstantially all of or on a part or parts of the treatment sturcture)so that, via the electrically conductive nanomaterial therein, a lethalcurrent flows killing living thing (s) that pass through the structure.Multiple power sources V may be used with the structure 141.

A moving apparatus MA with rollers RL moves the treatment structure 141through liquid LQ in a container 142 and then this liquid passes throughpart of the structure 141 and, as the structure 141 moves as indicatedby the arrows therein, the treated liquid flows from the structure 141into a container 143 from which it can be evacuated via an outlet 144.Optionally a system 145 with piping 146 and a pump 147 provides fluid(e.g., gas and/or liquid) that is pumped through the structure 141 forfurther treatment of fluid passing through the structure 141. Thestructure 141 moves through appropriate openings 147 in the piping 146.The fluid supplied by the system 145 may be any known fluid provided inknown treatment and/or filtration systems.

FIG. 15 shows a person wearing a mask 150 according to the presentinvention which has a treatment structure 151 (which may be like anytreatment structure described above, e.g., but not limited to, as inFIGS. 1-13). A power source Va (like any power source described above,including, but not limited to, as in FIG. 13) provides power forproducing a current across the structure 151. Suitable insulation isused to prevent the person from getting shocked.

FIG. 16 shows a mask 160 according to the present invention which has atreatment structure 161 (which may be like any treatment structuredescribed above, e.g., but not limited to, as in FIGS. 1-13, 15). Apower source Vb (like any power source described above, including, butnot limited to, as in FIG. 13 or 15) provides power for producing acurrent across the structure 161. Suitable insulation is used to preventa person wearing the mask from getting shocked.

FIG. 17 shows a system 170 according to the present invention which hasa treatment structure 171 according to the present invention which maybe any treatment structure disclosed above with a power source V whichmay be any power source disclosed above. Input fluid FI with undesirableliving thing(s) therein flows through and is treated by the treatmentstructure 171 so that the living thing(s) are killed. Fluid with deadthings FD (which may have nanomaterial therein from the structure 171)flows to an optional apparatus 172 which removes the dead things DTproducing fluid FL. The fluid FL (or, optionally, the fluid FD) is fedto an apparatus 173 which removes nanomaterial NL from the fluid FL (orFD) producing output treated fluid FO free of dead things and/or free ofat least some or substantially all of nanomaterial that was in the fluidFD.

It is within the scope of the present invention to include with anysystem according to the present invention and/or with any treatmentstructure according to the present invention an apparatus 172, anapparatus 173 and/or both such apparatuses. It is also within the scopeof the present invention to recycle fluid from any step shown in FIG. 17back to the system 170 and/or to any previous step in the system(indicated by the dotted lines beneath fluid FD, fluid FL, and adjacentthe arrow indicating flow of the fluid FO). Optionally, the system 170may include magnet(s) M, and/or magnet apparatus or apparatuses and/orheater(s) H used as described above.

It is within the scope of the present invention to pump fluid to atreatment structure according to the present invention, e.g., as shownin FIG. 17 fluid FI may, optionally, be pumped with a pump P to thetreatment structure 171. In such embodiments, the treatment structureneed not act as a non-gravity-feed fluid mover. Also, optionally, anysuitable pump is used to feed the apparatuses 172 and 173. Instead of orin addition to the silver material SM used in embodiments describedabove, a solution with silver particles, including, but not limited to,known colloidal silver solutions, (e.g., but not limited to, suchsolutions with a liquid suspension of microscopic silver particles witha concentration of 30 parts per million, less than 30 parts per million,50 parts per million, or more) may be added to fluid or to a containerwith fluid to be treated by a treatment structure and/or systemaccording to the present invention and/or to any container or housing inany system herein into which fluid is introduced before, during, orafter treatment according to the present invention, including, but notlimited to, into a container or housing into which fluid is gravity fed,upflowed, or siphoned. Optionally, any treatment structure disclosedherein may be soaked or primed with a silver solution, including, butnot limited to, systems with treatment structures which act to siphonfluid which may be primed with such a silver solution.

The optional apparatus 172 may be any suitable known apparatus, machine,device or method for removing the dead things from the liquid;including, but not limited to, filters, porous membranes, centrifuges,skimmers, precipitation-based apparatuses and methods,density-differential separation systems and/or structures, and bottomsweepers; and may also include systems and methods for separatingtreated water from other things, e.g. distillation and condensationsystems and methods which result in the fluid, e.g. water, beingseparated from the dead things. The optional apparatus 173 may be anysuitable known apparatus, machine, device or method for removingnanomaterial from liquid. The apparatus 173 may be or may employ theseparation principles disclosed in any reference referred to herein,including, but not limited to, the following United States references,all fully incorporated herein, for all purposes and in the referencescited in these references: U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,250,188; 7,815,806;7,074,310; 7,727,505; 7,074,310; 7,514,063; and in U.S. Applicationswith publication numbers 2004/0232073; 2006/0054555; 2006/0062718;2008/0290007; 2008/0260616; 2008/0063587; 2007/0269364; and2007/0258880.

The electrically conductive nanomaterial used in embodiments of thepresent invention may be any electrically conductive nanomaterial in thereferences referred to in the previous paragraph and those disclosed inthese U.S. Patents and in these U.S. Applications: U.S. Pat. Nos.7,820,132; 7,812,083 and 7,670,831 and U.S. Applications publicationnumbers 2010/0288980; 2010/0173376; 2010/0160553; 2010/0158193;2010/0140097; 2010/0068526; 2010/0012922; 2010/0000770; 2009/0314647;2009/0311166; 2009/006846; 2009/0001326; 2008/0233396; 2008/0145300;2008/0044651; 2008/0020130; 2007/0236325; 2006/0135030; 2006/0093642;2004/0202603; 2003/0012723; 2004/0028901 and 2004/0235016 (all saidreferences incorporated fully herein for all purposes). The silvermaterial used in methods according to the present invention (e.g. thesilver material SM in some drawings) may be any thing with silverdisclosed in the references referred to in this paragraph or in theprevious paragraph and/or in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,820,292;6,918,284;7,355,216; and 7,820,291 and/or in U.S. Applications publication numbers2005/0208304 and 2010/0000770 and in the references disclosed in thesepatents and in these published applications. Nanomaterial with silvertherein, therewith, or thereon may be, but is not limited to, anynanomaterial with silver in any of the references in this paragraph orin the previous paragraph. In any embodiment herein, silver may beprovided by connectors, wires, or leads used with an electrical powersource, with the connectors, etc. in and/or exposed to liquid to betreated.

In one aspect, the nanomaterial has magnetically attractive (sometimescalled “susceptible”) material therein or thereon or combined therewith(e.g., in a fabric, mesh, intertwined material, material adheredtogether, bonded together, sintered together, connected together, tiedtogether, or fused together as disclosed in any of the references in theprevious two paragraphs) and a source of magnetism (any suitable knownsource) is used to attract the nanomaterial for removal from the liquid.As shown in FIG. 18A, magnet(s) 185 and/or magnet(s) 185 a removenanomaterial 186 (not to scale) from water W. The nanomaterial 186 iselectrically conductive nanomaterial which includes magneticallyattractive material MAM (not shown to scale). The magnet(s) may bespaced-apart; one magnet may be used (or one magnet system; the magnetsmay be in a liquid outlet and/or is a conduit; in a separate container;and/or they may in contact with or associated with a treatment structureaccording to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 18B, anelectromagnet system 187 and/or 187 a removes electrically conductivenanomaterial 186 a (like numerals indicate like things in FIGS. 4 and18A and 18B). Numeral 180 s indicates a treatment structure according tothe present invention (which may be any treatment structure according tothe present invention). A power source 180 v is used, but an powersource disclosed herein may be used to impose a voltage so that currentflows in the treatment structure.

It is within the scope of the present invention to pass sufficientcurrent for a sufficient time period through any electrically conductivenanomaterial in any embodiment hereof so that the fluid with thenanomaterial is heated. In one particular aspect, the heating issufficient to kill undesirable things in the fluid. In one aspect thefluid is water and the heating is sufficient to kill undesirable thingsin the water, and, in one particular aspect the heating is sufficient toboil the water. Any power source disclosed herein with suitable sensorsand controls may be used for this purpose. Also, for example, as shownin FIG. 18B, a system 188 heats a portion of the treatment structure 41to kill things therein and/or a system 189 heats fluid in the container43 to kill things therein. Optionally a heater is used not to killthings, but to heat fluid in a treatment structure and/or in a containerand/or in a conduit.

Referring now to FIG. 19A a fluid to be treated, e.g., but not limitedto , contaminated water with living things 198 (not to scale), isintroduced into a pool 199 of a system 190 according to the presentinvention, and the fluid is forced through a screen 191 into a channel197 that allows the screened fluid to flow via pipe work or channels toreservoirs or tanks (not shown) for subsequent use. Contaminants, deadthings, and/or debris falls under gravity to a lower surface LS, fromwhich they can be conveyed out from under the screen 191 by any suitablemeans or method, including, but not limited to, by vibration, by anauger, or via a moving belt. An optional inclined surface IS may be usedto facilitate conveyance of contaminants, etc., out of the pool 199. Thescreen 191 has electrically conductive nanomaterial NM therein and/orthereon (not shown to scale), or the screen is made of such material.Optionally the system 190 includes silver material SM on the screen, inliquid in the pool 199, or both. A system V imposes a potentialdifference across the screen 191 thereby applying a current to thenanomaterial NM which is sufficient to kill things in the fluid flowingthrough or into contact with the screen 191.

FIG. 19B shows a system 192 according to the present invention which hasa container C into which material R is introduced, e.g. the materialincluding liquid L and living things S. The material R flows to a screenapparatus A which is mounted in a basket or box X. Part P of thematerial, e.g. liquid or liquid plus some dead things, flows up throughthe screen apparatus A. The part P is removed from the system by removalapparatus W (e.g. vacuum or pump apparatus). Part of the material, e.g.solids, dead things, and/or agglomerations or masses of solids, eithersettles down in the container C or, upon being prevented from furtherupward flow by the screen apparatus A and/or by material alreadyadjacent the screen apparatus A, falls downwardly in the container C.

The screen apparatus A has electrically conductive nanomaterial NMtherein and/or thereon (not shown to scale), or the screen is made ofsuch material. Optionally the system 192 includes silver material SM onthe screen apparatus, in liquid in the container C, or both. A system Wimposes a potential difference across the screen apparatus therebyapplying a current to the nanomaterial NM which is sufficient to killthings in the fluid flowing through or into contact with the screenapparatus. Any method or system herein may use a removal apparatus W tofacilitate the movement, evacuation, or removal or treated fluid, e.g.but not limited to water treated to kill living things, for a flowstream or from a container. Instead of the screen 191 or the apparatusA, any treatment structure according to the present invention can beused with the systems 190 and 192.

FIGS. 20A and 20B show a fluid treatment system 200 according to thepresent invention which has optional frames 206 a and 206 b, a sheet ofmaterial 201, a second optional sheet of material 202, an optionalelectrical conductive apparatus 203, an optional screen 208 a, and anoptional screen 208 b. It is within the scope of the present inventionfor the material 201 to be of such a size and for openings through thematerial 201 to be of such a size that the material does not act as afilter, but simply allows fluid (air or liquid) to flow therethroughunimpeded (and this is true for the material 202). Alternatively, thematerial 201 may include any known filter material or media (as may thematerial 202).

The material 201 has electrically conductive nanomaterial NM therein,thereon, and/or combined therewith (nanomaterial not shown to scale),optionally, silver material SM. Optionally, the nanomaterial NM iselectrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material.Optionally, such materials are throughout the material 201 or only in apart of or parts of it. Fluid flows through the material 201 and thefluid is treated as it flows therethrough. A power source PS (shownschematically; like any power source disclosed herein) imposes apotential difference on the material 201 on substantially all of or on apart or parts of the material so that, via the electrically conductivenanomaterial therein, a lethal current flows killing living thing(s)that pass through the material 201.

Optionally, the material 201 contains silver material SM which may beany silver material disclosed herein. Optionally, the material 202, thescreens 208 a and 208 b, and/or the apparatus 203 may have nanomaterialNM and/or silver material SM as described for the material 201.

Optionally, a power source PR (like any disclosed herein) imposes apotential difference across the material 201. Optionally, the material202 may also have its own dedicated power source like the power sourcePR. Optionally, the screemn 208A and/or the screen 208 b may also haveits own dedicated power source like the power source PR. Optionally theapparatus 203 is like the electrical conductive means disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 5,807,425 (incorporated fully herein for all purposes).

FIG. 21 illustrates a system 210 according to the present inventionwhich has a housing 211 with an inlet 213 through which fluid flows toan interior of the housing 211 and an outlet 214 from which treatedfluid flows out from the housing 211. A filter cartridge 215 is mountedwithin the interior 212 of the housing 211 with a filter outlet 219 influid communication with the housing outlet 214 so that fluid treated bythe filter cartridge 215 can flow out from the filter cartridge into theoutlet 214.

The filter cartridge 215 has filter material 216 (which is any knownsuitable filter material for filtering a fluid, e.g., a gas, a liquid,or a combination thereof). Fluid flows through the filter material 216which filters out things of a desired size and then filtered fluid flowsinto an interior 215 a from which it flows to the filter cartridgeoutlet 219. Optionally, the filter material fills the filter cartridge.The housing 211, inlet 213, outlet 214, outlet 219, and the generaloverall shape of the filter cartridge 215 may be any desired shape and,in one aspect, each of these is generally circular in crosssection.

The filter material 216 contains nanomatgerial NM (not shown to scale)which is present in sufficient amounts and is sufficiently dispersed sothat, when a potential difference is imposed thereon by a power source217 (labeled “PC”), current flows of sufficient power to kill livethings in fluid being filtered. The nanomaterial NM may be anyelectrically conductive nanomaterial disclosed herein. Optionally thefilter material 216 also has silver material SM therein (not shown toscale) which may be any silver or silver material disclosed herein. Inone aspect, such a filter system is provided in which the nanomaterialis not used. Optionally, silver material SM is provided in the fluidflowing into the housing by a system 218 (e.g., but not limited to, asilver solution, e.g, but not limited to, a colloidal silver solution).Any system herein according to the present invention may have a systemlike the system 218 for providing silver for a fluid in a container orinjection into a treatment structure.

The power source 217 may be located as indicated in FIG. 21; or it maybe located within a housing (shown by a power source in dotted linewithin the housing 211) or within filter material (or within basematerial in other systems)and the power source may be any type disclosedherein, including, but not limited to, solar power systems, generators,and batteries.

The present invention, therefore, provides, in at least certainembodiments, a treatment structure or apparatus, and/or a method fortreating a fluid, the method using the treatmentstructure and including:passing fluid (e.g., gas, water, or a mixture thereof) through atreatment structure, the fluid containing undesirable living things, thetreatment structure containing electrically conductive nanomaterial withsilver; flowing an electric current in the fluid in the treatmentstructure via the electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver orsilver material to kill undesirable living things in the treatmentstructure; and killing undesirable things in the fluid. Such a methodmay include one or some, in any possible combination, of the following:wherein the fluid is water; wherein the fluid passes through thetreatment structure by the force of gravity; wherein the fluid passesthrough the treatment structure by siphoning, pumping, and/or upflow;wherein the treatment structure is moved through the fluid so that thetreatment structure takes in fluid and said fluid passes through thetreatment structure for treating thereby; wherein electric current flowsthrough substantially all of the treatment structure; wherein electriccurrent flows through a portion of the treatment structure; wherein thetreatment structure contains base material and the electricallyconductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material is in the basematerial; wherein the base material is one of nylon, plastic, fibers,granular media, fabric, fibril materials, filamentous materials, Kevlar,ballistic material, inorganic or organic materials, biological organismselective materials, natural or synthetic materials, cotton, wool,polyester, fiber glass, metal, woven or nonwoven, air laid web material,sheets of material, interleaved sheets, material with pores or openingsor pore sizes such that it does not filter fluid or material with poresor openings or pore sizes of such dimensions that fluid is filtered,material containing silver and/or silver material; wherein the basematerial contains silver and/or silver material; wherein thenanomaterial is one of nanotubes, nanorods, nanowires, nanoparticles,nanostructures, nanofibers, nanofabric, nanocylinders, nanographene,nanographene ribbons, transformed nanomaterials, functionalizednanomaterial, metallized nanomaterial, carbon nanomaterials, carbonnanotubes, single walled nanotubes, multi-walled nanotubes,functionalized nanotubes and metallized nanotubes; flowing treated fluidfrom the treatment structure; wherein the treated fluid contains deadthings killed in the treatment structure, the method further includingremoving dead things from the treated fluid; wherin the treated fluidcontains nanomaterial, the method further including removingnanomaterial from the treated fluid; wherein the removed nanomaterialcontains magnetically attractive material, the method further includingremoving the nanomaterial containing magnetically attractive materialwith one of at least one magnet, a plurality of magnets, at least onemagnet apparatus, and a plurality of magnet apparatuses; wherein themagnet apparatus is one of an elecrtromagnet apparatus, at least oneelectromagnet apparatus, and a plurality of elctromagnet apparatuses;wherein magnet apparatus is within the treatment structure, adjacent thetreatment structure, within a member through which the treated fluidpasses, or within a container containing the treated fluid; wherein theelectric current heats fluid in the treatment structure; wherein theelectric current boils fluid in the treatment structure; wherein theelectric current heats fluid in the treatment structure thereby killingliving things in the fluid; wherein a power source imposes a potentialdifference across the nanomaterial so that the electtric current flows,the power source location being one of outside a container with thenanomaerial therein, within the nanomaterial, within base material,within filter material, adjacent nanomaterial, adjacent filter material,said power souce including connectors for connection to impose thepotential difference; and/or wherein the electric current is provided bya power source that is one of generator, solar power system, andbattery.

The present invention, therefore, provides in some, but not necessarilyall, embodiments treatment dtructures and methods for treating a fluid,the method including: passing fluid through a treatment structure, thefluid containing undesirable living things, the treatment structurecontaining electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silvermaterial; flowing an electric current in the fluid in the treatmentstructure via the electrically conductive nanomaterial with silver tokill undesirable living things in the treatment structure; killingundesirable things in the treatment structure producing treated fluid;flowing the treated fluid back to the treatment structure; passing thetreated fluid through the treatment structure; flowing an electriccurrent in the treated fluid in the treatment structure via theelectrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material tokill undesirable living things in the treatment structure.

The present invention, therefore, provides in some, but not necessarilyall, embodiments treatment structures and methods for treating a fluid,the methods including: passing fluid through a treatment structure, thefluid containing undesirable living things, the treatment structurecontaining electrically conductive nanomaterial, the fluid containingsilver or silver material;flowing an electric current in the fluid inthe treatment structure via the electrically conductive nanomaterial tokill undesirable living things in the treatment structure; and killingundesirable things in the treatment structure, wherein the fluid ismoved through the treatment structure by siphoning or by pumping orwherein the treatment structure is moved through the fluid. Such atreatment structure and such a method may include the electricallyconductive nanomaterial including electrically conductive nanomaterialwith silver.

The present invention, therefore, provides in some, but not necessarilyall, embodiments treatment structures and methods for treating a fluid,the methods including: passing fluid through a treatment structure, thefluid containing undesirable living things, the treatment structurecontaining electrically conductive nanomaterial, the fluid containingsilver or silver material; flowing an electric current in the fluid inthe treatment structurevia the electrically conductive nanomaterialsilver to kill undesirable living things in the treatment structure, theelectric current passing through only a portion of the treatmentstructure; and killing undesirable things in the treatment structure. Insuch a method and such a structure the electrically conductivenanomaterial includes electrically conductive nanomaterial with silveror silver material.

The present invention, therefore, provides in some, but not necessarilyall, embodiments treatment structures and methods for treating a fluid,the methods including: passing fluid through a treatment structure, thefluid containing undesirable living things, the treatment structurecontaining electrically conductive nanomaterial, the fluid containingsilver or silver material; flowing an electric current in the fluid inthe treatment structure via the electrically conductive nanomaterialsilver to kill undesirable living things in the treatment structure;killing undesirable things in the treatment structure; flowing treatedfluid from the treatment structure; and removing dead things from thetreated fluid and/or removing nanomaterial from the treated fluid. Insuch a structure and in such a method the electrically conductivenanomaterial includes electrically conductive nanomaterial with silveror silver material.

The present invention, therefore, provides in some, but not necessarilyall, embodiments treatment structures and methods for treating a fluid,the methods including: passing fluid through a treatment structure, thefluid containing undesirable living things, the treatment structurecontaining electrically conductive nanomaterial, the fluid containingsilver or silver material; flowing an electric current in the fluid inthe treatment structure via the electrically conductive nanomaterialsilver to kill undesirable living things in the treatment structure;and/or killing undesirable things in the treatment structure, and/orremoving nanomaterial and/or silver material from the treated fluid.Such a treatment structure and/or such a method may include one or some,in any possible combination, of the following: the electricallyconductive nanomaterial includes electrically conductive nanomaterialwith silver or silver material; the removed nanomaterial containsmagnetically attractive material, the method further including removingthe nanomaterial containing magnetically attractive material with magnetapparatus; wherein the magnet apparatus is one of magnet, at least onemagnet, a plurality of magnets, an electromagnet apparatus, at least oneelectromagnet apparatus, and a plurality of electromagnet apparatuses;and/or the magnet apparatus is within the treatment structure, adjacentthe treatment structure, within a member through which the treated fluidpasses, or within a container containing the treated fluid.

The present invention, therefore, provides in some, but not necessarilyall, embodiments treatment structures and methods for treating a fluid,the methods including: passing fluid through a treatment structure, thefluid containing undesirable living things, the treatment structurecontaining electrically conductive nanomaterial, the fluid containingsilver or silver material;flowing an electric current in the fluid inthe treatment structure via the electrically conductive nanomaterialsilver to kill undesirable living things in the treatment structure;killing undesirable things in the treatment structure; wherein theelectric current heats the electrically conductive nanomaterial whichheats fluid in the treatment structure. Such a structure and such amethod may include one or some, in any possible combination, of thefollowing: the electric current boils fluid in the treatment structure;the electric current heats fluid in the treatment structure therebykilling living things in the fluid; and/or the electrically conductivenanomaterial includes electrically conductive nanomaterial with silveror silver material.

The present invention, therefore, provides in some, but not necessarilyall, embodiments treatment structures and methods for treating a fluid,the methods including: passing fluid through a treatment structure, thefluid containing undesirable living things, the treatment structurecontaining electrically conductive nanomaterial; flowing an electriccurrent in the fluid in the treatment structure via the electricallyconductive nanomaterial material to kill undesirable living things inthe treatment structure; killing undesirable things in the treatmentstructure producing treated fluid; flowing the treated fluid back to thetreatment structure; passing the treated fluid through the treatmentstructure; flowing an electric current in the treated fluid inthetreatment structure via the electrically conductive nanomaterial to killundesirable living things in the treatment structure. In such a method,optionally the electrically conductive nanomaterial includeselectrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material.

The present invention, therefore, provides in some, but not necessarilyall, embodiments treatment structures and methods for treating a fluid,the methods including: a treatment structure for treating fluid, e.g.,but not limited to water, air, and liquid, the treatment structureincluding: base material; electrically conductive nanomaterial includingelectrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material.Such a structure may include a power source for applying current to theelectrically conductive nanomaterial with silver or silver material tokill things in the fluid, e.g., but not limited to a solar powerapparatus, generator, or battery and/or the structure may be a liquidfilter or an air filter.

The present invention, therefore, provides in some, but not necessarilyall, embodiments treatment structures and methods for treating a fluid,the methods including: passing fluid up through a treatment structure,the fluid containing undesirable living things, the treatment structurecontaining electrically conductive nanomaterial; flowing an electriccurrent in the fluid in the treatment structure via the electricallyconductive nanomaterial silver to kill undesirable living things in thetreatment structure; and

killing undesirable things in the treatment structure. In such a methoda removal apparatus may facilitate flow of fluid from the treatmentstructure; the removal apparatus may be one of pump and vacuumapparatus; the treatment structure may be one or two or more screenapparatuses; at least one of the treatment structure and the fluid maycontain silver material; the treatment structure may be a filter; and/ora power source may impose a potential difference across the nanomaterialso that the electric current flows, the power source location being oneof outside a housing containing the treatment structure therein, withinmaterial in the housing that contains the nanomaterial, and within thehousing but not within the material that contains the nanomaterial.

The present invention, in certain aspects, discloses vibratoryseparators and shale shakers, and screen(s) used with them with killingability to kill living things in fluids flowing to and/or from aseparator or shaker. In certain aspects such a separator or shaker has ascreen or screens according to the present invention suitable for usewith a separator or shaker, e.g., a screen with the silver or silvermaterial as in (but not limited to) the screens of FIGS. 19A. 19B, 20A,20B, and 22 and the screens of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/374,243filed 16 Dec. 2011. In certain particular aspects, the vibratoryseparator is a shale shaker used in wellbore operations to processdrilling fluid with solids therein; e.g. but not limited to, thosedisclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 13/374,243 and those referred toin this application.

In certain aspects, silver, silver material, and/or a silver solution(“silver etc.”) is introduced either into an initial stream fed to aseparator (or shaker) or into a receiver that receives an initialstream. In another aspect, silver, etc. is fed separately to a componentor components of a separator system. In one aspect in which theseparator is a shale shaker, silver etc. is applied to, introduced into,or fed to one, two, or all three of: initial feed stream itself;receptacle, tank, or “possum belly” into which an initial stream isintroduced; and/or directly onto screening apparatus of the shale shaker(with a screen or screens essentially all at one general level or with ascreen or screens at two, three, four or more distinct levels).Optionally, killing material is added into any of these structures,streams and/or screen(s) to kill living things therein.

The present invention provides shale shaker screens with screeningmaterial, media, or mesh made, in whole or in part of silver or silvermaterial and, optionally, with nanomaterial with silver or silvermaterial therein or thereon.

FIG. 22 illustrates a system 270 according to the present inventionincluding screens used in vibratory separators to screen out solids froman initial flow stream. An initial feed stream 273 is fed to a vibratoryseparator 271 that has a screen (or screens) 272. The screen(s) 272 havesilver material ST (like any silver material disclosed herein; e.g.,like any silver material SM in other embodiments) therein or thereonand, when operating correctly and when undamaged, screen out solids Zfrom the stream 273. The solids Z are of a known size (largestdimension) and the screen(s) is chosen with mesh that will screen outsolids of this size.

Silver and/or silver material 278 may, optionally, be added to thestream 273, of a size that will pass through the screens, of a size thatwill not pass through the screens, or both. The solids Z flow off thetop of the screen(s) 272 to a discharge area. Screened fluid that haspassed through the screens flow away in a stream 275 (four down pointingarrows below separator 271; material 278 that may have passed throughscreen(s) 272 shown in dotted lines).

In one particular aspect the stream 273 is a stream of drilling fluid ormud that contains solids (e.g., and not by way of limitation debris,drilled cuttings, and/or drilled solids) which are to be screened out ofthe fluid by known screen(s), e.g., “shale shaker screens,” with avibratory separator often called a “shale shaker.” The screen(s) 272 maybe any known shale shaker screen, but with silver or silver material inand/or on the screening material according to the present invention,e.g., a screen like the screens in FIGS. 19A, 19B, 20A and 20B (and madeto withstand the vibrations, substances, and conditions encountered in avibratory separator or shale shaker) with screening material, mesh, orlayer(s) with silver material as that in the screens of FIGS. 19A-20B;the screening material, etc. being any suitable material used withvibratory separator screens or shale shaker screens; and the separator271 may be any known shale shaker, e.g., but not limited to, thosedisclosed in, U.S. application Ser. No. 13/374,243 filed 16 Dec. 2011.

Optionally, the screen or screens 272 of the shale shaker 271 may havenanomaterial NM therein and/or thereon (e.g., as in any filter material,media, mesh, screening material, etc. herein according to the presentinvention) with a power source 279 which applies a voltage across thenanomaterial. A control system 276 controls the power source 279 and canbe any suitable control system disclosed herein.

In one aspect, the nanomaterial is any electrically conductivenanomaterial, including, but not limited to, those disclosed herein.

The present invention provides a membrane with carbon nanotbues embeddedin a matrix. In one aspect the nanotubes are hollow allowing fluidpassage therethrough and the matrix is impervious to the fluid that isto flow through the nanotubes. In one aspect the matrix is simply thematerial that adheres the nanotubes together (and it does not impede orprevent fluid flow) and the nanotubes act as a filter media with poresbetween adjacent nanotubes providing the pore size for filtration. Inone aspect, the matrix is a solid polymeric matrix through which thefluid that is passable through hollow nanotubes cannot pass.

FIG. 23A shows a membrane 300 according to the present invention whichhas hollow carbon nanotubes 302 trough which fluid can flow embedded ina matrix 304. It is within the scope of the present invention for thenanotubes to project below the bottom side of the membrane (the bottomas viewed in FIG. 23A; the projection like the projection of thenanotubes from the top of the membrane as shown); or to end at thebottom surface of the membrane (as shown in FIG. 23A). The carbonnanotubes may be any suitable nanotubes for the desired filtration andfor addressing the fluid to be encountered, e.g., but not limited to,carbon nanotubes as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,993,524; and the matrixmay be any suitable matrix material, solid or porous, including, but notlimited to, those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,993,524.

In one aspect, the carbon nanotubes are metallized nanotubes thatinclude silver and/or silver material (any disclosed herein) and/orfunctionalized nanotubes that include silver or silver material SL (anysilver material disclosed herein); and, optionally, in one aspect, thematrix includes silver material SM in an amount effective to kill livingthings in the fluid to be filtered (as is true for the amount of silvermaterial in any embodiment herein).

In one aspect, a system V imposes a potential difference across themembrane 300 (either across the nanotubes or the matrix, or both)thereby applying a current which is sufficient to kill things in thefluid flowing through or into contact with the membrane 300 (with thecurrent and the type and amount of nanotubes sufficient and effective toachieve the killing). Optionally the matrix 304 also containselectrically conductive material EC (as may be true for a matrix in anyof FIGS. 23B-23D).

FIG. 23B illustrates a composite membrane 310 according to the presentinvention which includes a polymeric membrane 312 with embeddednanotubes 313 formed directly over a microporous support layer 314 whichin turn is, optionally, supported by a layer of fabric 315, woven ornon-woven. The fabric layer 315, when present, provides structuralsupport to the microporous layer 314. Any suitable nanotubes,microporous support material, and fabric may be used, including, but notlimited to, those disclosed in, or in patents and references cited in,U.S. Pat. No. 7,993,524 (as is true for fabric in FIGS. 23C and 23D).Any suitable fabric may be used for the fabrics of FIGS. 23A-23D,including suitable woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics (including, but notlimited to air-laid webs and vacuum deposited materials).

Any part or layer of the membrane 310 (and of the membranes of FIGS.23A, 23C, and 23D) may have silver material SM; and only one, only twoor all three of the layers of the membrane may have the material SM, ina sufficient amount to kill living things in fluid flowing through or incontact with the membrane.

In one aspect, the carbon nanotubes 313 are metallized nanotubes thatinclude silver and/or silver material (any disclosed herein) and/orfunctionalized nanotubes that include silver or silver material.

In one aspect, a system V imposes a potential difference across themembrane 310 (any layer or layers) thereby applying a current to thenanotubes 313 and/or to optional nanomaterial NM (in any or all layers)which is sufficient to kill things in the fluid flowing through or intocontact with the membrane 310.

FIG. 23C illustrates a composite membrane 320 according to the presentinvention which has a fabric layer 322, a microporous support layer 324,and an outer polymeric layer 326, with carbon nanotubes 328. Theselayers and nanotubes may be any such layers and nanotubes describedabove regarding the membranes of FIGS. 23A and 23B, with silver materialSM and/or nanomaterial NM. In one aspect, a system V imposes a potentialdifference across the membrane 320 (either across the nanotubes or thematrix, or any or all layers) thereby applying a current which issufficient to kill things in the fluid flowing through or into contactwith the membrane 320 (with the current and the type and amount ofnanotubes sufficient and effective to achieve the killing).

FIG. 23D illustrates a composite membrane 330 according to the presentinvention which has a fabric layer 332, a microporous support layer 334,a polymeric layer 336, a matrix layer 337, with carbon nanotubes 328.These layers and nanotubes may be any such layers and nanotubesdescribed above regarding the membranes of FIGS. 23A-23C, with silvermaterial SM and/or nanomaterial NM. In one aspect, a system V imposes apotential difference across the membrane 330 (either across thenanotubes or the matrix, or any or all layers) thereby applying acurrent which is sufficient to kill things in the fluid flowing throughor into contact with the membrane 320 (with the current and the type andamount of nanotubes sufficient and effective to achieve the killing).

The present invention provides improvements to the filtration membranesdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,993,524, improvements neither taught norsuggested by this patent and improvements which are not obvious in viewof this patent. According to the present invention, silver materialand/or nanomaterial are added to the nanotubes, matricies, fabricsand/or layers of the membranes of U.S. Pat. No. 7,993,524, along with,optionally, apparatus for imposing a potential difference acrosselectrically conductive material (nanotubes or otherwise) present insuch a membrane. Such membranes include, but are not limited to,membranes for filtration by size exclusion formed from open-endednanotubes embedded in a polymeric matrix which forms a layer whosethickness is substantially less than the average length of thenanotubes, allowing the nanotubes to be randomly oriented throughout thematrix while providing channels extending through the layer for theselective passage of molecular species or particles based on size.

The present invention provides filters with a porous supportingcomponent and a carbon nanotube filtration membrane sintered on a topsurface of the porous supporting component. In one aspect, as shownschematically in FIG. 24, a filter 340 has a porous supporting component342 with a number of pores, of any suitable size, e.g., but not limitecdto micro-scale pores, and a filtration membrane 344 configured as anetwork formed by aggregating a number of multi-junction carbonnanotubes 346 (items in drawing figure are not to scale). The carbonnanotubes 346, optionally, are two-dimensional junction carbonnanotubes, three-dimensional junction carbon nanotubes, or a mixturethereof. Any suitable membrane material may be used and any suitablesupport material may be used, including, but not limited to, thosedisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,625,426.

In one aspect, the carbon nanotubes 346 are metallized nanotubes thatinclude silver and/or silver material (any disclosed herein) and/orfunctionalized nanotubes that include silver or silver material SL (anysilver material disclosed herein); and, optionally, in one aspect, thesupport 342 includes silver material SM in an amount effective to killliving things in the fluid to be filtered (as is true for the amount ofsilver material in any embodiment herein).

In one aspect, a system V imposes a potential difference across thefilter 340 (either across the nanotubes or the support, or both) therebyapplying a current which is sufficient to kill things in the fluidflowing through or into contact with the membrane 340 (with the currentand the type and amount of nanotubes sufficient and effective to achievethe killing). Optionally the support 340 also contains electricallyconductive material EC.

The present invention provides systems with nanostructured materialsincluding nanotubes, e.g., carbon nanotubes, e.g., but not limited to,defective carbon nanotubes, for example impregnated, functionalized,doped, charged, coated, and/or irradiated nanotubes, and combinationsthereof. Certain usable defective carbon nanotubes contain a defectwhich is a lattice distortion in at least one carbon ring. Optionally apower source provides a potential difference across the nanostructuredmaterial to provide current to kill living things passing through thematerial; and/or silver material is used in the nanotubes and/or in asupport for the nanotubes. The nanostructured material may be anymaterial as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,815,806.

Such nanostructured materials according to the present invention withsilver and/or silver material can be used in methods of purifyingfluids, such as liquids, including water, as well as gases, includingair.

In one aspect, a nanostructured material 350 according to the presentinvention (FIG. 25A) is attached to a 20 micron metal mesh support 352.In one aspect, the nanostructured material 350 is carbon nanotubes whichare metallized nanotubes that include silver and/or silver material (anydisclosed herein) and/or functionalized nanotubes that include silver orsilver material SL (any silver material disclosed herein); and,optionally, in one aspect, the support 342 includes silver material SMtherein or thereon in an amount effective to kill living things in thefluid to be treated (as is true for the amount of silver material in anyembodiment herein).

In one aspect, a system V imposes a potential difference across thematerial 350 (either across the nanotubes or the support, or both)thereby applying a current which is sufficient to kill things in thefluid flowing through or into contact with the material 350 (with thecurrent and the type and amount of nanotubes sufficient and effective toachieve the killing). Optionally the support 350 is made fromelectrically conductive material. In one aspect, the material 350 islike the material of FIG. 13, U.S. Pat. No. 7,815,806, but withimprovements according to the present invention.

FIG. 25B shows a material 360 according to the present invention withnanotubes 362 in a support structure 364 (cellulose acetate) wrappingthemselves around the fibers 366 of the support structure 364.

In one aspect, the nanotubes 362 are carbon nanotubes which aremetallized nanotubes that include silver and/or silver material (anydisclosed herein), and/or functionalized nanotubes, that include silveror silver material SL (any silver material disclosed herein). In oneaspect, the fibers 366 include silver material SM therein or thereon inan amount effective to kill living things in the fluid to be treated (asis true for the amount of silver material in any embodiment herein).

In one aspect, a system V imposes a potential difference across thematerial 360 (either across the nanotubes or the fibers, or both)thereby applying a current which is sufficient to kill things in thefluid flowing through or into contact with the material 360 (with thecurrent and the type and amount of nanotubes sufficient and effective toachieve the killing). Optionally the fibers 366 are made fromelectrically conductive material. In one aspect, the material and fibersare like the material and fibers of FIG. 14, U.S. Pat. No. 7,815,806,but with improvements according to the present invention.

FIG. 26 shows a water treatment composition according to the presentinvention which is like that of U.S. Pat. No. 7,655,148, but withimprovements according to the present invention. For example, a “bird'snest” structure 370 as shown in FIG. 26 is made as in U.S. Pat. No.7,655,148, but with the addition of silver material SM within thestructure. Optionally, the structure 370 is made of nanotubes, e.g.,carbon nanotubes; e.g., carbon nanotubes which are metallized nanotubesthat include silver and/or silver material (any disclosed herein),and/or functionalized nanotubes, that include silver or silver material(any silver material disclosed herein).

In one aspect, a system V imposes a potential difference across thestructure 370 thereby applying a current which is sufficient to killthings in the material flowing through or into contact with thestructure (with the current and the type and amount of nanotubessufficient and effective to achieve the killing). Any structure of U.S.Pat. No. 7,655,148 may be used, but with the improvements of the presentinvention.

The present invention provides articles for removing contaminants from afluid, the article including carbon nanotubes in a nanomesh. In oneembodiment a system 380 according to the present invention has ananomesh 384 mounted in a housing 382. Contaminated fluid, indicated bythe darker arrows, flows to and through the nanomesh 384 and purifiedfluid (lighter arrows) flows from the nanomesh 384 and out of thehousing 382.

The nanomesh 384 is made with carbon nanotubes 386 and supporting fibers388.

In one aspect the carbon nanotubes 386 (shown schematically as a line)are metallized nanotubes that include silver and/or silver material (anydisclosed herein), and/or functionalized nanotubes, that include silveror silver material (any silver material disclosed herein). In oneaspect, the fibers 388 are silver or silver material, or they have orcontain silver or silver material—the various silver or silver materialsfor killing living things in fluid flowing through the nanomesh 384. Anysuitagble known fibers may be used for the fibers 388, of any suitableknown material.

In one aspect, a system V imposes a potential difference across thesystem 380 thereby applying a current which is sufficient to kill thingsin the material flowing through or into contact with the system.

In the system 380, the nanomesh may be any suitable nanomesh made withany acceptable known method; including, but not limited to, any nanomeshdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,419,601 (with an improvement orimprovements according to the present invention) and or with any fibersdisclosed in this patent (with or without an improvement or improvementsaccording to the present invention).

It is within the scope of the present invention to provide improvementsaccording to the present invention to the articles for removingcontaminants disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,419,601; including, but notlimited to, the application of a potential difference to electricallyconductive material sufficient to kill living things in flowing fluidand/or the use of nanotubes having silver material therein and/orthereon.

In conclusion, therefore, it is seen that the present invention and theembodiments disclosed herein and those covered by the appended claimsare well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends setforth. Certain changes can be made in the subject matter withoutdeparting from the spirit and the scope of this invention. It isrealized that changes are possible within the scope of this inventionand it is further intended that each element or step recited herein isto be understood as referring to the step literally and/or to allequivalent elements or steps. It is intgended to cover the invention asbroadly as legally possible in whatever form it may be utilized. Theinvention described herein is new and novel in accordance with 35 U.S.C.§102 and satisfies the conditions for patentability in §102. Theinvention described herein is not obvious in accordance with 35 U.S.C.§103 and satisfies the conditions for patentability in §103. Theinventor may rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assessthe scope of the invention. All patents and applications identifiedherein are incorporated fully herein for all purposes. The word“comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that itemsfollowing the word are included, but items not specifically mentionedare not excluded.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for treating fluid, the systemcomprising: a treater for receiving fluid, the fluid containingcomponents, the treater having nanomaterial, the nanomaterial comprisingelectrically conductive nanomaterial, the electrically conductivenanomaterial responsive to an electric current flowing therethrough foraffecting the fluid, a power source for providing the electric currentto the nanomaterial, wherein the system produces treated fluid, thetreated fluid contains the nanomaterial, and removal apparatus forremoving nanomaterial from the treated fluid.
 2. A system for treatingfluid, the system comprising: a separator for receiving fluid, the fluidcontaining components, the separator having a separating element forseparating a component of the fluid, the separating element havingnanomaterial, the nanomaterial comprising electrically conductivenanomaterial, the electrically conductive nanomaterial responsive to anelectric current flowing therethrough for affecting the fluid, whereinthe fluid is drilling fluid with solids therein and the separator is ashale shaker.
 3. The system of claim 2 further comprising: a powersource for providing electric current to the nanomaterial, the powersource being at a location which is one of: outside a container with thenanomaterial therein, within the nanomaterial, within base material of atreatment structure, within filter material, adjacent nanomaterial,adjacent filter material.
 4. The system of claim 3 wherein the separatorincludes a treatment structure, the treatment structure comprising: basematerial, the electrically conductive nanomaterial, and a power sourcefor applying current to the electrically conductive nanomaterial.
 5. Thesystem of claim 4, the treatment structure further comprising: the basematerial being one of nylon, plastic, fibers, granular media, fabric,fibril materials, filamentous materials, Kevlar, ballistic material,inorganic or organic materials, biological organism selective materials,natural or synthetic materials, cotton, wool, polyester, fiber glass,metal, woven or nonwoven, air laid web material, sheets of material,interleaved sheets, material with pores or openings or pore sizes suchthat it does not filter fluid or material with pores or openings or poresizes of such dimensions that fluid is filtered, material containingsilver material.
 6. A system for treating fluid, the system comprising:a separator for receiving fluid, the fluid containing components, theseparator having a separating element for separating a component of thefluid, the separating element having nanomaterial, the nanomaterialcomprising electrically conductive nanomaterial, the electricallyconductive nanomaterial responsive to an electric current flowingtherethrough for affecting the fluid, the electrically conductivenanomaterial containing magnetically attractive material, the systemproducing treated fluid with magnetically attractive nanomaterialtherein, and removal apparatus for removing the magnetically attractivenanomaterial from the treated fluid.
 7. The system of claim 6 whereinthe separator is one of upflow separator, face mask, vibratoryseparator, shale shaker, filter, screen, membrane, composite membrane,water treatment composition, cartridge filter.
 8. The system of claim 6further comprising: a power source for providing electric current to thenanomaterial, the power source being at a location which is one of:outside a container with the nanomaterial therein, within thenanomaterial, within base material of a treatment structure, withinfilter material, adjacent nanomaterial, adjacent filter material.
 9. Thesystem of claim 6 wherein the separator includes a treatment structure,the treatment structure comprising: base material, the electricallyconductive nanomaterial, and a power source for applying current to theelectrically conductive nanomaterial.
 10. The system of claim 9, thetreatment structure further comprising: the base material being one ofnylon, plastic, fibers, granular media, fabric, fibril materials,filamentous materials, Kevlar, ballistic material, inorganic or organicmaterials, biological organism selective materials, natural or syntheticmaterials, cotton, wool, polyester, fiber glass, metal, woven ornonwoven, air laid web material, sheets of material, interleaved sheets,material with pores or openings or pore sizes such that it does notfilter fluid or material with pores or openings or pore sizes of suchdimensions that fluid is filtered, material containing silver material.